Am I crazy or did this sell for what I think it did?
I've been watching it the last few days, but I was too skeptical to bid. One of those too good to be true things, I guess.

If you're interested, decide for yourself. The same rifle was on gunsamerica for 8 or 9 thousand. Also note that this was a no reserve auction.
Sorry I do this a lot, but I see things and need second opinions
Here's a link: http://www.auctionarms.com/search/displayitem.cfm?itemnum=6072108

Doesn't look like any pre-war WR I've ever seen, especially the stock, magazine, scope bases, etc., etc. Probably a "put together" gun at best.

The action and barrel might be pre-war but that sure looks the Hell like a Fajen or Bishop '50's abortion to me. Was anyone stocking rifles butt-ugly like that before 1950? I think the price might be o.k. given that the purchaser will have to send it to Bozeman (Bozeman?) to bring it back to spec and that won't be cheap!

Who knows the story with the stock. The rifle's supposedly from RSA... It's a scope stock for sure. I emailed the guy for more pics but never got any, which says a lot.
I still figure a WR action (assuming it's genuine) alone is worth what it went for, though, especially if it's a 425 that feeds.

There's a lot of these types of rifles going around lately. One day they're thousands of dollars and the next they're on no reserve auctions.

that particular type of westley is original it is called a game ranger they were made in the 50s for game wardens in africa they are not as fancy as earlier pre war types ,they were built on FN actions as you can see,and they did not have the usual clips that are needed to make these rifles feed properly, jack lott mentions these in an article about 1984 gun digest they are definetly ment to be a production type of westley ,and you are all right to call it ugly because by any standard it is ,but it was made when winchester was selling many 458s and 375s so it was made to compete,
also this gun because of it not having the ''clips '' to hold the cartridge in place did more damage to westley richards firm and to the cartriges popularity
if you talk to anyopne at westley richards they will tell you whenever you look to buy a 425. make sure it has the ''clips ''even if it is made of an original oberndorf which not many were if it doesnt have the clips it probably wont feed right

paul

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